What Today’s EMBA Program Looks Like

THE TYPICAL EMBA classroom and curriculum is changing a little—not a lot—while program structures and student demographics remain steady, according to the 2013 Membership Program Survey conducted by the Executive MBA Council, headquartered in Orange, California.

January 04, 2014
MARK AIRS/THINKSTOCK

Conclusions are based on responses from 314 schools that are members of the EMBA Council.

What’s changing: The percentage of course materials delivered electronically has tripled since 2010, and more programs are offering new electives, formats, and services. The top three new non-elective courses are leadership, law, and innovation/entrepreneurship. The most common and fastest-growing service is alumni networking.

What’s holding steady: Average class size is once again 43, and the average program length continues to be 20 months. Other numbers remain similar to those of previous years: Typical EMBA students have 8.5 years of management experience and 13.7 years of work experience. Just over 25 percent are women.

Other findings: The average program cost is US$73,401, up 1 percent from the previous year. Forty-one percent of EMBA students are fully self-funded, up from 34 percent in 2009, while 24 percent of students receive full financial sponsorship. Fifty-three percent of programs offer scholarships and fellowships.

The survey also shows that there has been a shift toward less frequent class meetings, that almost 66 percent of programs require a global trip, and that China is the most popular destination.